Giddy folks, welcome to the Church of the City, New York podcast. Good to have you with us.

This summer we are going to be in a series called Rediscovering Church. It is going to be a verse by verse teaching through the book of

one Thessalonians. This is a beautiful book, short book, potent book, with a ton of implications

for how to follow Jesus in a world like ours. If we can serve you anyway, please jump on our website

church.n.yc. And as always, hope you're doing well. Peace.

First Thessalonians 2, 1 through 12. You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you

is not without results. We had previously suffered and had been treated outrageously in

Philippi. As you know, but with the help of God, we dare to tell you his gospel

in the face of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure

motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be

entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people, but God,

who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed.

God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else.

Even though as apostles of Christ, we could have asserted our authority. Instead, we were like

young children among you. Just as a nursing mom, mother, cares for her children, we cared for you.

Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God,

but our lives as well. Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship.

We worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preach the gospel of God to you.

You are witnesses, and so is God of how holy, righteous, and blameless we were among you who believed.

For you know that we dealt with each of you

as a father deals with his own children,

encouraging, comforting, and urging you

...